Reviews from AV Volunteers
My experience in Kenya has changed me in many ways. It was an incredibly humbling experience, it brought me back to the pure joy of connecting with people with zero material possession or status and it made me aware of how truly blessed I am to live in the United States.
I loved the people I met on this trip, the amazing sites, activities and cultures I immersed myself in and the feeling of making a difference in those less fortunate than I.
I would go back in a heartbeat if I could – I miss the country very much and all of the wonderful people I have met.
See more at GoOverseas.
Thank you for the best days of my life
… thank you for everything, I’m sure you get these things every year but I honestly have had the most amazing experience of my life and I would never change that for anything. Thank you.
When I first arrived in Malawi I never thought I would take so much away with me when I left. Watching the kids smiling and laughing and seeing how keen they are to learn puts the biggest smile on your own face!
I have made some of the most amazing friends I’m ever going to have and shared some incredible experiences with them, for instance bunji jumping 111m in tandem into the Zambizi river and going on many long and uncomfortable but hysterical bus journeys.
I met so many interesting people along the way, all of whom will not be forgotten. There are tough times, but they are so outweighed by the good and they make the whole experience even better!
Thanks so much.
Over the past four months, I can promise you that I have ‘lived,’ lived more than in my entire life previously. I have seen things, been places that you cannot even imagine. I’ve discovered places not only out there, in the undiscovered country, but inside my very self. No guide book or brochure can prepare for the emotions you will experience.
– Public speaking – not always on subjects which I’d feel naturally confident; I suppose you could call it bluffing! So long as you say something with confidence, people will believe you and probably enjoy what you’re saying.
– Learning to work with and enjoy the company of, colleagues with whom you might not at first have a lot in common. The more you feel that they are very different to you, the more you probably have to learn form them.
– The joy of seeking out other cultures and ways of living.
– Small chat with anyone.
– The delight of basic living.
– The knowledge that everyone has a lot of offer and should never be shy about what they know. Setting up an art club in St Anthonys when I was, umm, artistically-challenged, has helped me feel I can now train my staff in Food Safety and Hygiene, having never encountered the concept before.
– Most notably and importantly though, CONFIDENCE. The unknown is not to be avoided. Try anything that is offered – it will probably be a positive experience, and if not, well then move on and try something else.
The AV experience teaches teenagers that they can survive and thrive on a challenge which is totally alien to anything they’ve encountered in their previous lives. And I’m sure that many of them continue to seek out ever more extreme forms of challenge, and continue to surprise themselves in their ability to deal with very new environments.
I’ve no doubt that Alissa who works for Deloitte, Rachel who works to reduce the gang culture, Matilda an artist and teacher, Kirsty a fundraiser, as well as myself as a cafe owner, regularly use the skills we acquired during our time with AV.
Whether you intended to or not, you certainly seemed to go out of your way to make our stay in Africa particularly special – almost like AV is one big happy family. Now that I have spent a few evenings with friends, sharing gap year stories, I realise just how brilliant an organisation AV actually is – honestly, I’m not kidding. Having spoken to friends on Gap, Gap Challenge, VSO, etc. they all seem to agree that it sounds like I went with the best company, or, of course, it’s the way I tell it. Seriously, when they had problems, the area reps were not particularly helpful and nobody felt they could approach the reps. I think younger siblings will be trying for AV next time.
Thank you once again.
Reviews from Parents
Thanks very much and good luck for the future.
You’re a great team! Always positive and helpful!
The detail with which you organised all this and also provided feedback to the parents was excellent. Best of all was the way in which you enable these young people to have what I would call a ‘real’ gap year in which they were able to contribute to and learn from a different culture.
By all accounts it was a great success. I say all this as a little bit of a gap year veteran. This is my third daughter and I wish the older two had discovered Africa & Asia Adventure.
Mr Scott
I could not recommend the whole experience more highly. Her sister Philippa is hoping to embark on a similar experience this time around.
I suggested his gap year, and the travelling as a way of allowing him to mature and hopefully learn some life skills before going to University, hoping that he would then cope better and more independently.
He spent his 4 months at age 18/19 in Kenya with AV, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
My expectations for his maturity and life skills development were exceeded. He came back confident, able to network and make new friends, with something interesting to talk about, and bitten by the travel bug. He went off to University, and never looked back.
Thanks to AV she has had the time of her life, many life-changing experiences and I’m sure she will come back a truly better person.
Thank you and best wishes,
Katy & Dave Smith
She found the school children and all the people there so friendly and welcoming. As well as that she really ‘grew up’ and realised how lucky she is and it made her appreciate a lot of the little things in life. She has made 6 great friends from her fellow AV group.
As a parent we never had any apprehension about her safety and well being. I will definitely recommend your organisation and Vanessa is the eldest so you might easily meet her sister and brother!
Again, many thanks and best wishes
Carolyn Jones
I know Meg is having a really incredible experience and am so grateful for how you and your company. It is a very impressive organization – personal and professional and very thorough and comprehensive.
I will not hesitate to recommend you in future! (And am already thinking where my son will go in 2 years time….)
As parents, we have nothing but praise for the efficiency of the organisation of your operation. You have given all your AVs the chance of a lifetime to really grow as individuals, but within a support network which was very caring. Freya enjoyed it so much, made many friends in the village and amongst the AVs and will keep an enduring love of India.